ID needed, more questions to follow

[OneDummHikk]

I saw some clams that are only 1". The vendor couldn't give me a name of them (although he is trying to find out for me).

This is a semi-closeup:



This is the only close-up I took. Didn't take a closeup of the one on the left in the picture above:



The picture truly does not do the clam justice. Some have thought it was crocea, some have thought it was maxima. How do you identify a clam that is only 1" long? The only thing I know about it is the vendor said they were being cultured in Tonga (That might help someone ID them for me).
He couldn't tell me a name, said it was the first ones he had seen like this in 30+ years in the business. Don't know if he meant the size or a family of clams

More questions coming

[OneDummHikk]

I know they will be closed up if I do, but, will it hurt a clam if I take it out of the water long enough to try to take a better picture of them? And, anything else I might be able to photo (sides or bottom) to help ID them?

[racerw]

Clams can be out of water with low tides so I would think you would be fine taking it out of water to get a few pictures.
Pictures of the shell showing the texture,shape & symmetry would help along with pictures of the byssal opening.
Just an interesting picture

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by racerw

Clams can be out of water with low tides so I would think you would be fine taking it out of water to get a few pictures.
Pictures of the shell showing the texture,shape & symmetry would help along with pictures of the byssal opening.

I have to go back out there today or tomorrow (probably tomorrow) and will pull them out of the tank and try to get better pictures of them.

Originally Posted by racerw

Just an interesting picture

99 giant clams on the beach
99 giant clams.
Take one home,
put it in your tank,
98 giant clams left on the beach

[hng]

Cool pic, looks like clam heaven...